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1.
Front Immunol ; 15: 1403769, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38947319

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Follicular helper T cells are essential for helping in the maturation of B cells and the production of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) during primary viral infections. However, their role during recall responses is unclear. Here, we used hepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfection in humans as a model to study the recall collaborative interaction between circulating CD4 T follicular helper cells (cTfh) and memory B cells (MBCs) leading to the generation of NAbs. Methods: We evaluated this interaction longitudinally in subjects who have spontaneously resolved primary HCV infection during a subsequent reinfection episode that resulted in either another spontaneous resolution (SR/SR, n = 14) or chronic infection (SR/CI, n = 8). Results: Both groups exhibited virus-specific memory T cells that expanded upon reinfection. However, early expansion of activated cTfh (CD4+CXCR5+PD-1+ICOS+FoxP3-) occurred in SR/SR only. The frequency of activated cTfh negatively correlated with time post-infection. Concomitantly, NAbs and HCV-specific MBCs (CD19+CD27+IgM-E2-Tet+) peaked during the early acute phase in SR/SR but not in SR/CI. Finally, the frequency of the activated cTfh1 (CXCR3+CCR6-) subset correlated with the neutralization breadth and potency of NAbs. Conclusion: These results underscore a key role for early activation of cTfh1 cells in helping antigen-specific B cells to produce NAbs that mediate the clearance of HCV reinfection.


Subject(s)
Hepacivirus , Hepatitis C , Memory B Cells , Reinfection , T Follicular Helper Cells , Humans , Hepacivirus/immunology , T Follicular Helper Cells/immunology , Male , Female , Hepatitis C/immunology , Hepatitis C/virology , Memory B Cells/immunology , Adult , Middle Aged , Reinfection/immunology , Reinfection/virology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood , Immunologic Memory , Hepatitis C Antibodies/immunology , Hepatitis C Antibodies/blood , Hepatitis C, Chronic/immunology , Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology , Lymphocyte Activation/immunology
2.
Euro Surveill ; 29(26)2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38940003

ABSTRACT

BackgroundSince its emergence in December 2019, over 700 million people worldwide have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 up to May 2024. While early rollout of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 has saved many lives, there was increasing immune escape of new virus variants. Longitudinal monitoring of population-wide SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses from regular sample collection irrespective of symptoms provides representative data on infection and seroconversion/seroreversion rates.AimTo examine adaptive and cellular immune responses of a German SARS-CoV-2 outbreak cohort through several waves of infection with different virus variants.MethodsUtilising a 31-month longitudinal seroepidemiological study (n = 1,446; mean age: 50 years, range: 2-103) initiated during the first SARS-CoV-2 superspreading event (February 2020) in Heinsberg, Germany, we analysed acute infection, seroconversion and virus neutralisation at five follow-up visits between October 2020 and November 2022; cellular and cross-protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants were also examined.ResultsSARS-CoV-2 spike (S)-specific IgAs decreased shortly after infection, while IgGs remained stable. Both increased significantly after vaccination. We predict an 18-month half-life of S IgGs upon infection. Nucleocapsid (N)-specific responses declined over 12 months post-infection but increased (p < 0.0001) during Omicron. Frequencies of SARS-CoV-2-specific TNF-alpha+/IFN-gamma+ CD4+ T-cells declined over 12 months after infection (p < 0.01). SARS-CoV-2 S antibodies and neutralisation titres were highest in triple-vaccinated participants infected between April 2021 and November 2022 compared with infections between April 2020 and January 2021. Cross neutralisation against Omicron BQ.1.18 and XBB.1.5 was very low in all groups.ConclusionInfection and/or vaccination did not provide the population with cross-protection against Omicron variants.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , Reinfection , SARS-CoV-2 , Seroconversion , Humans , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/epidemiology , Longitudinal Studies , Germany/epidemiology , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Middle Aged , Adult , Male , Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood , Female , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage , Aged , Reinfection/immunology , Reinfection/virology , Reinfection/prevention & control , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Adolescent , Young Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Aged, 80 and over , Vaccination
3.
Front Public Health ; 12: 1364048, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38873290

ABSTRACT

Background: It is important to figure out the immunity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reinfection to understand the response of humans to viruses. A serological survey for previously infected populations in Jiangsu Province was conducted to compare the antibody level of SARS-CoV-2 in reinfection by Omicron or not. Methods: Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 was defined as an individual being infected again after 90 days of the initial infection. Telephone surveys and face-to-face interviews were implemented to collect information. Experimental and control serum samples were collected from age-sex-matched reinfected and non-reinfected cases, respectively. IgG anti-S and neutralizing antibodies (Nab) concentrations were detected by the Magnetism Particulate Immunochemistry Luminescence Method (MCLIA). Antibody titers were log(2)-transformed and analyzed by a two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test. Subgroup analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between the strain type of primary infection, SARS-Cov-2 vaccination status, and antibody levels. Multivariate linear regression models were used to identify associations between reinfection with IgG and Nab levels. Results: Six hundred thirty-one individuals were enrolled in this study, including 327 reinfected cases and 304 non-reinfected cases. The reinfection group had higher IgG (5.65 AU/mL vs. 5.22 AU/mL) and Nab (8.02 AU/mL vs. 7.25 AU/mL) levels compared to the non-reinfection group (p < 0.001). Particularly, individuals who had received SARS-CoV-2 vaccination or were initially infected with the Wild type and Delta variant showed a significant increase in antibody levels after reinfection. After adjusting demographic variables, vaccination status and the type of primary infection together, IgG and Nab levels in the reinfected group increased by log(2)-transformed 0.71 and 0.64 units, respectively (p < 0.001). This revealed that reinfection is an important factor that affects IgG and Nab levels in the population. Conclusion: Reinfection with Omicron in individuals previously infected with SARS-CoV-2 enhances IgG and Nab immune responses.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19 , Immunoglobulin G , Reinfection , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , COVID-19/immunology , Immunoglobulin G/blood , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Reinfection/immunology , Reinfection/virology , China , Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood , Male , Female , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Middle Aged , Adult , Aged
4.
Virol J ; 21(1): 142, 2024 Jun 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38910238

ABSTRACT

We describe the case of a 57-year-old male with jaundice, abdominal distension and fatigue. He was diagnosed as chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) due to intermittent elevated liver enzymes, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia, with persistent positive of EBV biomarkers in blood and also positive in liver tissue. The patient was reinfected by SARS-CoV-2 within 2 months companied with CAEBV. The patient's second infection with SARS-CoV-2 led to the aggravated liver dysfunction with pneumonia and re-admission. After receiving symptomatic treatment, the patient showed significantly improvement of symptoms with partially restoration of liver function. After discharge, the patient's health status continued to deteriorate and eventually died. The instances of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection with the original chronic virus are not uncommon, but the exact mechanism of EBV and SARS-CoV-2 coinfection and the relationship between them are still unclear. Since co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 with original chronic virus might affect each other and lead disease aggravated and complicated, it is necessary to differentiate in the diagnosis of disease and it is important to be aware of the re-infection signs of SARS-CoV-2 in people with chronic virus infection diseases, as well as the risk of co-infection of SARS-CoV-2 with other viruses.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Coinfection , Epstein-Barr Virus Infections , Herpesvirus 4, Human , Reinfection , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , Male , COVID-19/diagnosis , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/virology , Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications , Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/diagnosis , Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/virology , Middle Aged , Reinfection/virology , Reinfection/diagnosis , Coinfection/virology , Coinfection/diagnosis , Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics , Chronic Disease , Fatal Outcome
5.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 9957, 2024 04 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38693285

ABSTRACT

Our previous study in children and young people (CYP) at 3- and 6-months post-infection showed that 12-16% of those infected with the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of SARS-CoV-2 met the research definition of Long Covid, with no differences between first-positive and reinfected CYP. The primary objective of the current study is to explore the impact of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 infection on young people 12 months post infection. 345 CYP aged 11-17 years with a first laboratory-confirmed infection with the Omicron variant and 360 CYP reinfected with the Omicron variant completed an online questionnaire assessing demographics, symptoms, and their impact shortly after testing and again at 3-, 6-and 12-months post-testing. Vaccination status was determined from information held at UKHSA. Comparisons between groups were made using chi-squared, Mann-Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. The most common symptoms in first-positive and reinfected CYP 12-months post-testing were tiredness (35.7 and 33.6% respectively) and sleeping difficulties (27.5 and 28.3% respectively). Symptom profiles, severity and impact were similar in the two infection status groups. Overall, by 12-months, 17.4% of first-positives and 21.9% of reinfected CYP fulfilled the research consensus Long Covid definition (p = 0.13). 12-months post Omicron infection, there is little difference between first-positive and reinfected CYP with respect to symptom profiles and impact. Clinicians may not therefore need to consider number of infections and type of variant when developing treatment plans. Further studies are needed to assess causality of reported symptoms up to 12-months after SARS-CoV-2 infection.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Reinfection , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , COVID-19/virology , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/epidemiology , Child , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Adolescent , Male , Female , Reinfection/virology , Prospective Studies , Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome
6.
Nat Commun ; 15(1): 3463, 2024 Apr 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38658564

ABSTRACT

Under-reporting of COVID-19 and the limited information about circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants remain major challenges for many African countries. We analyzed SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics in Addis Ababa and Jimma, Ethiopia, focusing on reinfection, immunity, and vaccination effects. We conducted an antibody serology study spanning August 2020 to July 2022 with five rounds of data collection across a population of 4723, sequenced PCR-test positive samples, used available test positivity rates, and constructed two mathematical models integrating this data. A multivariant model explores variant dynamics identifying wildtype, alpha, delta, and omicron BA.4/5 as key variants in the study population, and cross-immunity between variants, revealing risk reductions between 24% and 69%. An antibody-level model predicts slow decay leading to sustained high antibody levels. Retrospectively, increased early vaccination might have substantially reduced infections during the delta and omicron waves in the considered group of individuals, though further vaccination now seems less impactful.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , Ethiopia/epidemiology , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/virology , COVID-19/prevention & control , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Male , Adult , Female , Adolescent , Young Adult , Middle Aged , Child , Aged , Child, Preschool , Vaccination , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , Retrospective Studies , Reinfection/epidemiology , Reinfection/immunology , Reinfection/virology
7.
JCI Insight ; 9(9)2024 Apr 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38573774

ABSTRACT

The viral kinetics of documented SARS-CoV-2 infections exhibit a high degree of interindividual variability. We identified 6 distinct viral shedding patterns, which differed according to peak viral load, duration, expansion rate, and clearance rate, by clustering data from 768 infections in the National Basketball Association cohort. Omicron variant infections in previously vaccinated individuals generally led to lower cumulative shedding levels of SARS-CoV-2 than other scenarios. We then developed a mechanistic mathematical model that recapitulated 1,510 observed viral trajectories, including viral rebound and cases of reinfection. Lower peak viral loads were explained by a more rapid and sustained transition of susceptible cells to a refractory state during infection as well as by an earlier and more potent late, cytolytic immune response. Our results suggest that viral elimination occurs more rapidly during Omicron infection, following vaccination, and following reinfection due to enhanced innate and acquired immune responses. Because viral load has been linked with COVID-19 severity and transmission risk, our model provides a framework for understanding the wide range of observed SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Viral Load , Virus Shedding , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/virology , Humans , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Virus Shedding/immunology , Kinetics , Male , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage , Reinfection/immunology , Reinfection/virology , Adult , Female , Models, Theoretical
8.
Math Biosci ; 371: 109178, 2024 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38490360

ABSTRACT

Interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and the immune system during infection are complex. However, understanding the within-host SARS-CoV-2 dynamics is of enormous importance for clinical and public health outcomes. Current mathematical models focus on describing the within-host SARS-CoV-2 dynamics during the acute infection phase. Thereby they ignore important long-term post-acute infection effects. We present a mathematical model, which not only describes the SARS-CoV-2 infection dynamics during the acute infection phase, but extends current approaches by also recapitulating clinically observed long-term post-acute infection effects, such as the recovery of the number of susceptible epithelial cells to an initial pre-infection homeostatic level, a permanent and full clearance of the infection within the individual, immune waning, and the formation of long-term immune capacity levels after infection. Finally, we used our model and its description of the long-term post-acute infection dynamics to explore reinfection scenarios differentiating between distinct variant-specific properties of the reinfecting virus. Together, the model's ability to describe not only the acute but also the long-term post-acute infection dynamics provides a more realistic description of key outcomes and allows for its application in clinical and public health scenarios.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Reinfection , SARS-CoV-2 , Humans , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/virology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Reinfection/immunology , Reinfection/virology , Models, Theoretical , Mathematical Concepts
9.
J Glob Health ; 13: 06051, 2023 Nov 24.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37994839

ABSTRACT

Background: With the emergence of new variants and sub-lineages of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), reinfections can significantly impact herd immunity, vaccination policies, and decisions on other public health measures. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesise the global evidence on SARS-CoV-2 reinfections in the pre-Omicron era. Methods: We searched five global databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Plus, Global Health, WHO COVID-19) on 12 May 2022 and 28 July 2023 and three Chinese databases (CNKI, Wanfang, CQvip) on 16 October 2022 for articles reporting incidence and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection before the period of Omicron (B.1.1.529) predominance. We assessed risk of bias using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools and conducted meta-analyses with random effects models to estimate the proportion of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection among initially infected cases and hospitalisation and mortality proportions among reinfected ones. Results: We identified 7593 studies and extracted data from 64 included ones representing 21 countries. The proportion of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection was 1.16% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.33) based on 11 639 247 initially infected cases, with ≥45 days between the two infections. Healthcare providers (2.28%; 95% CI = 1.37-3.40) had a significantly higher risk of reinfection than the general population (1.00%; 95% CI = 0.81-1.20), while young adults aged 18 to 35 years (1.01%; 95% CI = 0.8-1.25) had a higher reinfection burden than other age groups (children <18 years old: 0.57%; 95% CI = 0.39-0.79, older adults aged 36-65 years old: 0.53%; 95% CI = 0.41-0.65, elderly >65 years old: 0.37%; 95% CI = 0.15-0.66). Among the reinfected cases, 8.12% (95% CI = 5.30-11.39) were hospitalised, 1.31% (95% CI = 0.29-2.83) were admitted to the intensive care unit, and 0.71% (95% CI = 0.02-2.01) died. Conclusions: Our data suggest a relatively low risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection in the pre-Omicron era, but the risk of hospitalisation was relatively high among the reinfected cases. Considering the possibility of underdiagnosis, the reinfection burden may be underestimated. Registration: PROSPERO: CRD42023449712.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Reinfection , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Humans , Middle Aged , Young Adult , COVID-19/epidemiology , Incidence , Reinfection/epidemiology , Reinfection/virology , SARS-CoV-2
12.
Nat Commun ; 13(1): 852, 2022 02 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35140233

ABSTRACT

The spread of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant underscores the importance of analyzing the cross-protection from previous non-Omicron infection. We have developed a high-throughput neutralization assay for Omicron SARS-CoV-2 by engineering the Omicron spike gene into an mNeonGreen USA-WA1/2020 SARS-CoV-2 (isolated in January 2020). Using this assay, we determine the neutralization titers (defined as the maximal serum dilution that inhibited 50% of infectious virus) of patient sera collected at 1- or 6-months after infection with non-Omicron SARS-CoV-2. From 1- to 6-month post-infection, the neutralization titers against USA-WA1/2020 decrease from 601 to 142 (a 4.2-fold reduction), while the neutralization titers against Omicron-spike SARS-CoV-2 remain low at 38 and 32, respectively. Thus, at 1- and 6-months after non-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection, the neutralization titers against Omicron are 15.8- and 4.4-fold lower than those against USA-WA1/2020, respectively. The low cross-neutralization against Omicron from previous non-Omicron infection supports vaccination of formerly infected individuals to mitigate the health impact of the ongoing Omicron surge.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral/immunology , COVID-19/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , COVID-19/blood , COVID-19/virology , Cross Reactions , Humans , Neutralization Tests , Reinfection/blood , Reinfection/immunology , Reinfection/virology , SARS-CoV-2/genetics
13.
Cell Rep ; 38(7): 110394, 2022 02 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35139368

ABSTRACT

The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant (B.1.617.2) raises concerns about potential reduced sensitivity of the virus to antibody neutralization and subsequent vaccine breakthrough infections. Here, we use a live virus neutralization assay with sera from Pfizer- and Moderna-vaccinated individuals to examine neutralizing antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 and observe a 3.9- and 2.7-fold reduction, respectively, in neutralizing antibody titers against the Delta variant compared with an early isolate bearing only a D614G substitution in its spike protein. We observe similar reduced sensitivity with sera from hamsters that were previously infected with an early isolate of SARS-CoV-2. Despite this reduction in neutralizing antibody titers against the Delta variant, hamsters previously infected (up to 15 months earlier) with an early isolate are protected from infection with the Delta variant, suggesting that the immune response to the first infection is sufficient to provide protection against subsequent infection with the Delta variant.


Subject(s)
Adaptive Immunity , COVID-19/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Animals , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , COVID-19/transmission , COVID-19/virology , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , Cricetinae , Disease Models, Animal , Humans , Reinfection/immunology , Reinfection/transmission , Reinfection/virology , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Viral Load
15.
J Virol ; 96(5): e0205721, 2022 03 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34985998

ABSTRACT

Reactivation of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) from latently infected neurons of the trigeminal ganglia (TG) leads to blinding recurrent herpetic disease in symptomatic (SYMP) individuals. Although the role of T cells in herpes immunity seen in asymptomatic (ASYMP) individuals is heavily explored, the role of B cells is less investigated. In the present study, we evaluated whether B cells are associated with protective immunity against recurrent ocular herpes. The frequencies of circulating HSV-specific memory B cells and of memory follicular helper T cells (CD4+ Tfh cells), which help B cells produce antibodies, were compared between HSV-1-infected SYMP and ASYMP individuals. The levels of IgG/IgA and neutralizing antibodies were compared in SYMP and ASYMP individuals. We found that (i) the ASYMP individuals had increased frequencies of HSV-specific CD19+CD27+ memory B cells, and (ii) high frequencies of HSV-specific switched IgG+CD19+CD27+ memory B cells detected in ASYMP individuals were directly proportional to high frequencies of CD45R0+CXCR5+CD4+ memory Tfh cells. However, no differences were detected in the level of HSV-specific IgG/IgA antibodies in SYMP and ASYMP individuals. Using the UV-B-induced HSV-1 reactivation mouse model, we found increased frequencies of HSV-specific antibody-secreting plasma HSV-1 gD+CD138+ B cells within the TG and circulation of ASYMP mice compared to those of SYMP mice. In contrast, no significant differences in the frequencies of B cells were found in the cornea, spleen, and bone-marrow. Our findings suggest that circulating antibody-producing HSV-specific memory B cells recruited locally to the TG may contribute to protection from symptomatic recurrent ocular herpes. IMPORTANCE Reactivation of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) from latently infected neurons of the trigeminal ganglia (TG) leads to blinding recurrent herpetic disease in symptomatic (SYMP) individuals. Although the role of T cells in herpes immunity against blinding recurrent herpetic disease is heavily explored, the role of B cells is less investigated. In the present study, we found that in both asymptomatic (ASYMP) individuals and ASYMP mice, there were increased frequencies of HSV-specific memory B cells that were directly proportional to high frequencies of memory Tfh cells. Moreover, following UV-B-induced reactivation, we found increased frequencies of HSV-specific antibody-secreting plasma B cells within the TG and circulation of ASYMP mice compared to those of SYMP mice. Our findings suggest that circulating antibody-producing HSV-specific memory B cells recruited locally to the TG may contribute to protection from recurrent ocular herpes.


Subject(s)
Herpes Simplex , Herpesvirus 1, Human , Keratitis, Herpetic , Memory B Cells , Reinfection , Animals , Antigens, CD19/immunology , Immunity/immunology , Immunoglobulin A/blood , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Keratitis, Herpetic/immunology , Memory B Cells/immunology , Memory B Cells/virology , Mice , Reinfection/immunology , Reinfection/virology , Trigeminal Ganglion/virology , Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7/immunology , Virus Activation/immunology
16.
Sci Rep ; 12(1): 1438, 2022 01 26.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35082344

ABSTRACT

The protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants by pre-existing antibodies elicited due to the current vaccination or natural infection is a global concern. We aimed to investigate the rate of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its clinical features among infection-naïve, infected, vaccinated, and post-infection-vaccinated individuals. A cohort was designed among icddr,b staff registered for COVID-19 testing by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR). Reinfection cases were confirmed by whole-genome sequencing. From 19 March 2020 to 31 March 2021, 1644 (mean age, 38.4 years and 57% male) participants were enrolled; where 1080 (65.7%) were tested negative and added to the negative cohort. The positive cohort included 750 positive patients (564 from baseline and 186 from negative cohort follow-up), of whom 27.6% were hospitalized and 2.5% died. Among hospitalized patients, 45.9% had severe to critical disease and 42.5% required oxygen support. Hypertension and diabetes mellitus were found significantly higher among the hospitalised patients compared to out-patients; risk ratio 1.3 and 1.6 respectively. The risk of infection among positive cohort was 80.2% lower than negative cohort (95% CI 72.6-85.7%; p < 0.001). Genome sequences showed that genetically distinct SARS-CoV-2 strains were responsible for reinfections. Naturally infected populations were less likely to be reinfected by SARS-CoV-2 than the infection-naïve and vaccinated individuals. Although, reinfected individuals did not suffer severe disease, a remarkable proportion of naturally infected or vaccinated individuals were (re)-infected by the emerging variants.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/pathology , Reinfection/epidemiology , Adult , COVID-19/complications , COVID-19/virology , Cohort Studies , Diabetes Complications/pathology , Female , Humans , Hypertension/complications , Male , Middle Aged , RNA, Viral/analysis , RNA, Viral/metabolism , Reinfection/diagnosis , Reinfection/virology , Risk , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , SARS-CoV-2/physiology , Severity of Illness Index , Vaccination/statistics & numerical data
17.
J Med Virol ; 94(4): 1717-1722, 2022 04.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34862628

ABSTRACT

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues, reinfection is likely to become increasingly common. However, confirming COVID-19 reinfection is difficult because it requires whole-genome sequencing of both infections to identify the degrees of genetic differences. Since the first reported case of reinfection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the Republic of Korea in April 2020, four additional cases were classified as suspected reinfection cases. We performed whole-genome sequencing of viral RNA extracted from swabs obtained at the initial infection and reinfection stages of these four suspected cases. The interval between initial infection and reinfection of all four suspected cases was more than 3 months. All four patients were young (10-29 years), and they displayed mild symptoms or were asymptomatic during the initial infection and reinfection episodes. The analysis of genome sequences combined with the epidemiological results revealed that only two of the four cases were confirmed as reinfection, and both were reinfected with the Epsilon variant. Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the possibility of reinfections with SARS-CoV-2 variants is increasing, as reported in our study. Therefore, continuous monitoring of cases is necessary.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/virology , Genome, Viral/genetics , Reinfection/virology , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , COVID-19/epidemiology , Female , Genomics , Humans , Male , Mutation , Phylogeny , RNA, Viral/genetics , Reinfection/epidemiology , Republic of Korea/epidemiology , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification
18.
J Virol ; 96(1): e0096421, 2022 01 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34668775

ABSTRACT

A comprehensive analysis and characterization of a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection model that mimics non-severe and severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in humans is warranted for understating the virus and developing preventive and therapeutic agents. Here, we characterized the K18-hACE2 mouse model expressing human (h)ACE2 in mice, controlled by the human keratin 18 (K18) promoter, in the epithelia, including airway epithelial cells where SARS-CoV-2 infections typically start. We found that intranasal inoculation with higher viral doses (2 × 103 and 2 × 104 PFU) of SARS-CoV-2 caused lethality of all mice and severe damage of various organs, including lung, liver, and kidney, while lower doses (2 × 101 and 2 × 102 PFU) led to less severe tissue damage and some mice recovered from the infection. In this hACE2 mouse model, SARS-CoV-2 infection damaged multiple tissues, with a dose-dependent effect in most tissues. Similar damage was observed in postmortem samples from COVID-19 patients. Finally, the mice that recovered from infection with a low dose of virus survived rechallenge with a high dose of virus. Compared to other existing models, the K18-hACE2 model seems to be the most sensitive COVID-19 model reported to date. Our work expands the information available about this model to include analysis of multiple infectious doses and various tissues with comparison to human postmortem samples from COVID-19 patients. In conclusion, the K18-hACE2 mouse model recapitulates both severe and non-severe COVID-19 in humans being dose-dependent and can provide insight into disease progression and the efficacy of therapeutics for preventing or treating COVID-19. IMPORTANCE The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has reached nearly 240 million cases, caused nearly 5 million deaths worldwide as of October 2021, and has raised an urgent need for the development of novel drugs and therapeutics to prevent the spread and pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). To achieve this goal, an animal model that recapitulates the features of human COVID-19 disease progress and pathogenesis is greatly needed. In this study, we have comprehensively characterized a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection using K18-hACE2 transgenic mice. We infected the mice with low and high doses of SARS-CoV-2 to study the pathogenesis and survival in response to different infection patterns. Moreover, we compared the pathogenesis of the K18-hACE2 transgenic mice with that of the COVID-19 patients to show that this model could be a useful tool for the development of antiviral drugs and therapeutics.


Subject(s)
COVID-19/pathology , Disease Models, Animal , SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicity , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/genetics , Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2/metabolism , Animals , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/mortality , COVID-19/virology , Humans , Immune Sera/immunology , Keratin-18/genetics , Mice , Mice, Transgenic , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Reinfection/immunology , Reinfection/mortality , Reinfection/pathology , Reinfection/virology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Viral Proteins/genetics , Viral Proteins/metabolism
20.
Future Oncol ; 18(5): 533-541, 2022 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34825831

ABSTRACT

Introduction: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory outcomes of solid cancer patients who were reinfected with COVID-19. Methods: Patients who were tested negative on the COVID-19 PCR test and those with improved clinical conditions after infection with COVID-19 were enrolled in this study. Patients who received a positive COVID-19 PCR test 28 days after the initial positive PCR test were considered as reinfected. Results: A total of 1024 patients with the diagnosis of solid malignancy and COVID-19 PCR positivity were examined. The reinfection rate was 3.1%. Mortality rate of reinfection was 34.3%. The serum ferritin and creatinine values in reinfection were found to be significantly higher than the first infection (respectively; p = 0.015, p = 0.014). Conclusion: This study has demonstrated one of the first preliminary clinical results of COVID-19 reinfection in solid cancer patients.


Plain language summary Solid cancer patients are at a higher risk than general population in terms of COVID-19 infectivity and COVID-19-associated death and disease. It is also known that COVID-19 infection has a more severe course in immunocompromised patients. Solid cancer patients may be a vulnerable subgroup of patients to reinfection with COVID-19. The rate of reinfection was 3.1% (n = 32) in our study population of 1024 solid cancer patients who were tested positive on a COVID-19 PCR test. The death rate of the patients with solid cancer was 34.3% (n = 11). In addition, we demonstrated that intensive care follow-up is significantly longer during the reinfection period. It was demonstrated that the time between the last dose of chemotherapy for the patients and the reinfection COVID PCR positivity did not affect the death rate. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people's daily lives and treatments in many aspects. Owing to the high death rate of reinfection, even if cancer patients have reinfection, our approach is to continue cancer treatment as soon as the patient is cured. Finally, we support the priority vaccination of cancer patients.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 Nucleic Acid Testing/methods , COVID-19/complications , Neoplasms/pathology , Reinfection/pathology , SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicity , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , COVID-19/pathology , COVID-19/virology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/therapy , Neoplasms/virology , Prognosis , Reinfection/virology , SARS-CoV-2/isolation & purification , Survival Rate
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